Emergency landing flare and releasing device therefor



April 2,193.5.I s, W.. EY 1,999,994

EMERGENCY LANDING- FLARE AND RELEASING DEVICE THEREFOR "Il mm .f4

April, 2, 193s. s. WILEY 1,996,694

EMERGENCY LANDING FLARE AND RELEASNG DEVICE THEREFOR April 2, 1935. s. WILEY 1,996,694

EMERGENCY LANDING FLARE AND RELEASING DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 2, 1935. s, wlLEY' 1,996,694

EMERGENCY LANDING FLARE AND RELEASING DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 13, 1953 4 SheetSSheS't 4 Patented Apr. 2, 1935. *l t Y -NITED STATES j PATENT ori-ICE Y, EDIERGENCY LANDING FLARE AND RE- LEASING DEVICE '.IHEREFORI Samuel Wiley, Metuchen, N. J. Application February 13, 1933, serial No. 656,596 9 claims. (o1. 1oz- 24) The present invention relates to emergency tively release the retaining device to insure the landing nare and releasing device therefor, and freedom of the flare at the time of launching. has for an object to provide a flare and releasing` i With the foregoing and other objects in view, device in which Vthe flare may be safely carried the invention will be more fully described hereinin air craft, `and from which, when desired, the after, and will be more particularly pointed out 5 flare may be released to descend slowly through in the claims appended hereto. l the air and illuminate the ground and other ob- In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to jects beneath the air craft. like or corresponding parts throughout the sev- The invention is not only intended for rse in eral views. l

. l1ov illuminating hostile territory, troops and the like, Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of l0 but is especially adapted for use in making night a flare mounted in its carrying case embodying landings'by air craft on peaceful missions such the features of the present invention. as; the landing of hydroplanes in harbors; and Figure 2 isa top plan view of the same. Y

`the landing of aeroplanes on the ground, and for Figure 3 is a similar view with the flare re- 1.; use in general to brilliantly illuminate a considmoved and showing the bottom retaining device l5 erable area of land or water used for shipping, partly released. building and the like. i Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken Another object of the present invention is to through the lower end of the are in its carrying provide an improved ignition device for the flare case and in locked position.

which may be quickly and easily and safely as- Figure 5 is a similar view showing the retain- 20 sembled in the manufacture of the flare and ing device released and partially'removed, the which provides for a positive ignition of the fuse dotted lines showing the full releasing position of when the ignition device is actuated by the parathe 'retaining device.` chute subsequent to launching of the flare. Figure 6 is a vertical central section taken `A further object of the invention is to provide through the fiare constructed according to the I25 a flare with a carrying case in which the flare present invention. may be mounted for transportation from its point Figure 7 vis an enlarged detail sectional view of manufacture to the landing field, or the like, taken through the ignitor. where the flares are to be installed, and to pro- 'Figure 8 is a detail perspective View of the vide-a socket .plate of relatively light and small` same with the parts in position of operation. 30

construction adapted. to receive the flare with its Figure 9 is a top plan view thereof. y carrying case so that the carrying 'case may serve Figure l0 is a side elevation of the flare operaas a launching tube when the flare is released' tive position after launching. from the air craft or other carrying body. Figure 11 is a top plan view of a socket plate A further object of the invention is to provide adapted to be mounted on air craft or other sup- 35 an improved means for retaining the flare in the porting body. carrying case during transportation of the flare Figure 12 is an edge elevation of the same. and to provide improved means carried by the Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view of socket plate for cooperation with the retaining one end of the socket plate having a flare with means of the carryingl case to release the flare its carrying case mounted therein. 40 at the desired time OIF-launching so as to posi- Figure 14 is a. side elevation of the same, the tively eject the flare frein the carrying case when upper portion being broken away. serving as a launching tube. Figure l5 isa like view taken axially at right The invention stilllfurther aims to provide an angles 'G0 Figure 14. *i

improved retaining and releasing means for the Figure 16 iS a t0D Diari VieW 0f a modified form 45 flare in the carrying case which may be securely of socket plate with a are mounted therein in locked against accidental release during the shiphOriZOrltal position. ping or transportation of the flare and which em- Figure 1'7 iS a lSide elevaiien 0f the Seine, and

- bodies features necessitating the unlocking of the Figure 18 iS a i'lreriSVerSe Section taken thrOUgh releasing means prior to the mounting of the the modified device on the line |8I8 of Figure 50 flare in the socket plate. 17. f

The invention' further aims to provide an im- With reference rst to Figure 6 of the drawproved releasing device carried by the socket ings, the flare comprises a metallic cylindrical plate adapted to rst unlatch the holding device casing 25 which isvtted at its lower end to a.

' 55 on the carrying case and to subsequently posi-v combustible casing 26 which carries therein the 55 illuminating composition 21. This composition 21-is pyrotechnic in character and of combustible chemicals whichy when ignited burn at a high temperature so as to give off brilliant light. This composition 21 isinherently dense and is difficult to ignite with an ordinary fiame. To insure ignition, a combustible composition 28, which will burn -with a high temperature, is charged on the lower end of the illuminating composition 21, and to those skilled in the art it is known as the auxiliary or starting fire composition. While various compositions are used for the starting re composition, it is preferred to use a composition including the original illuminating composition with a percentage of a granular substance;v as shown in Figure 6, which in itself has a very low ignition point but burns at a high temperature. This causes the starting fire composition to ignite from a flame of relatively low temperature fire composition by means of pieces of quickmatch 29 held in place against the starting re composition 28 by means of a paper disc 30.

The lower end of the combustible casing 26 is closed by means of a cap 3| which fits against the disc A3|) and-holds all of the parts in place.

The combustible casing 26 is provided at preferably its central portion with an axial tube 32 through which a strand of quick-.match 33 is carried, the lower yend of the strand of quickmatch 33 heldl by the disc 30 against the auxiliary firing lcomposition 28 and in contact with the pieces of quick-match 29. The upper end of the strand of quick-match 33 is over-turned from the tube -31 and lies in a chamber 34 formed in the underside of a; head block 35 mounted in the upper end of a combustible casing 26 by means of screws 36 or the like. It will be noted that the screws 36 also engage through the lower end of theY metallic casing 25 so as to secure the upper and lower casings together as a unit.

The head block 35 detachably carries the igniter and for this purpose is provided with a relatively large axial opening. The igniter, as best shown in Figures '1, 8 and 9, comprises a preferably metallic tube 31 slidably tting in the opening of the head block 35 and adapted to project downwardly therethrough.

The lower end of the tubeA 31 is.open to expose the interior thereof to the upper end of the quick-match strand 33. -An attaching plate 38 is secured across the upper end of the tube 31 and projects therebeyond to provide a pair of ears which are apertured to receive bolts 39, or the like, which are carried by the block 35 to clamp the ears fiat against the upper side of the block and with the'tube .39 inserted in the block. A disc 40 is fitted in the upper end of the tube 31 and a friction disc 4| is arranged above the disc 40 and may, as shown in Figure '1, be inthe form of a cap which encloses the marginal portion of the disc 48 and has its lower edge over-turned f therebeneath to unite the discs 40 and 4|. 'I'he disc 4| is of relatively thin metal, cardboard or l the like which admits of the tearing of the de vice when the are is launched and when thet jerk of the parachute is applied thereto as will ings of the disc 40, is curved into a loop disposed in the lower end of the tube 31, and is thence returned back through the opening in the disc 40 and along the upper face of the disc 4|)v beneath the disc 4I, the discs clamping the ends of the loop firmly against the upper side of the disc 46. The wire 44 is carried upwardly through a central opening 45 which is formed in the friction disc 4| at the central portion thereof so as to hold the wire 40 with substantially right angular bends as it passes through and between the discs 40 and 4|. The two wires 44 are brought together at the opening 45 ofthe friction disc and carried upwardly therefrom as a cable or single strand. When this strand 44 is jerked upwardly with suiiicient force, it will tear through the friction disc 4|, as shown in Figure 8, and thence the friction composition loops 43 may be drawn upwardly through the openings in the disc 40 to cooperate with the primer powder and thus produce a substantial flame within the lower end of the tube 31.

This flame ignites the upper end of the quick match strand 33 so as to ignite the flare.

Secured to the upper side of the attaching plate 38 in` co-axial relation with the tube 31 is a cup 46 having the bottom thereof at its central portion raised or dished upwardlyto provide a'dome 41 with a cavity therebeneath disposed over the central portion of the friction disc 4| to admit the upward tearing of the disc and to accommodate the wires 44 when they are drawn taut after release from the disc 4|. The dome 41 therefore admits of the free pulling of the wires 44 upwardly-through the disc 40 so as to draw the friction composition loops 43 upwardly through the openings. 'I'he dome 41 has a central opening at its top through which the wires 44 project, and through which also extends a parachute cable 48, the lower end of the. cable being closed and secured between the bottom of the cup 46 and the attaching plate 38 as shown in Figure '1.

The parachute cable 48 is adapted to be wound i in the cup 46, and the latter is provided with a cap 49 through which the upper end of the cable extends, the cable preferablyextending through the cap near one edge thereof and adapted for attachment to a second cable 40 which extends to the parachute.

From Figure 7 it will be noted that the lower end of the cable 48 is looped or slackened so that the weight of the flare when taken up by the parachute is -through the wires 44.

The advantage of this construction of igniter is that it may be assembled and completely set up, is mounted in the head block 35 of the flare and thus there`is no danger of setting oifthe flare during the assembling of the parts of the igniter.

The 'upper cable 50 is connected to a parachute.

5| which is folded within the upper metallic casing 25 and which is provided upon its upper end with a weight 52 in the form of a disc, or the like, secured to' the parachute. .'Ihe weight 52 is adapted to y out of the upper open end of the casing 25 and draw the parachute therewithv when the flare is first released from the air craft,

the flare turning over or spinning to effectively project the weight 52 but of the casing 25.

Referring now to Figures l to 5, the parachute,

after it has been made up as shbwn in Figure 6, is placed in a carrying case 53 which may comprise a metal tube open at itsupper end and er end, which may be mounted on the carrying case 53 by means of a bander ring 55 secured about the lower end portion of the carrying oase.`

The carrying'case 53 is of larger diameter than that of the flare so that there is an annular space between the casing and the flare which admits of the free and easy introduction and removal of the flare through the lower end of the carrying case. tralized in the carrying case at the upper end by means of a top cover 56 preferably of metallic construction and having a central depressed part fitting into the upper open end'of the flare'to hold the weight 52 of the parachute in place. The cover 56 has a flange at its outer edge which overlaps the upper end of the carrying case 53 and may be soldered or otherwise suitably secured thereto. loose fit in the upper end of the are so that the latter may fall downwardly away from the cover 56when the flare is released at its lower end.

A bottom coveror closure 51 lis fitted in the lower end of the carrying case53 and is provided with a depressed central portion into which is seated the lowercap 3| of the flare, as shown in Figure 4. The lower cover 51 is provided with an annular spacing bead which lies between the carrying case and the flare so that the lower end of the flareis centered in the carrying case. The closure 51 is provided with an outstanding flange 58 which lies beneath the llange 54 of the escape the depressed carrying case and which at one side is Vprovided with a curved tongue 59 which enters the slot -60 in one side ofthe flange 54 so that the cover 51 is hingedly connected at one side of the carrying case tothe latter and may be swung downwardly t0 open the lower end of the carrying case, as shown in Fgure. The lip 59 is preferably curved or of varcuate form so that it will readily slide out of the slot 69 when the cover 51 is swung down to a substantially vertical position, when" the cover 51 may fall away from the carrying case and free the are.

The lower cover plate 51 is provided in one V side, preferably opposite to the lip 59 with a keeper slot 62 spaced above the flange 58 adistance equal substantially to the thickness of the flange 56 of the carrying case so ,that the slot 62v will be exposed above theflange 54 when the lower cover 51 is in place. A latch lever 63 is pivoted at one endV upon a rivet 64, or the like, on the upper'face of the flange 54 in position to swing in an edgewise direction at its free end toward and from the slot 62. VA lip 65 is provided on the inner edge of the latch lever 63 and is proportioned to project into the s lot 62,'and preferably has its -inner free edge curved to central portion of the cover 51, as shown in Figure 4. The latchlever 63 is releasably held in locked position to holdthe cover 51 closed by means of 'a frangible`pin 66 adapted to be -sheared oif when the latch lever 63 is forced outwardly into the position shown in Figure 3.. For the purpose of handling thecar'- rying vcase with the flare therein and to prevent The flare is maintained steady and cene' The cover 56 has a somewhat A 3 position until the latch lever 63 is forced into open position by the releasing mechanism hereinafter described. Thus, the latch lever 63 cannot be accidently opened either during-the handling and shipping of the. complete device, or even after the device is mounted in launching position upon the air craft or carrying body.

The flange 58 of the cover 51, beneath the latch 63 is imperforate. The flange 54 of the carrying case is provided with a Yslot 69 which may be of circular yform as shown. vThelatch q or of any other suitable configuration for receiving a releasing and ejecting pin later de# scribed, and at its outer-marginal edge is provided with a notch 1I forming a shoulder or seat forthe lower end portion of the said pin when the latchA lever 63 is closed, as shown in Figure 2. The slot 10 is therefore offset inwardly out of .line with the opening-'69 when the latch leveris in closed position and the notch 1I is located substantially coaxial with the.circular slot 69.

The iresult -is that the passage downwardly through the slot 69 is at least partly closed so that the releasing and ejecting pin cannot movev downwardly until the latch lever 63 is retracted.

Referring now to Figures 11 to l5`, the aeroplane or other body or support from which the flares are adapted to be launched, is provided with a socket or launching plate 12. This/plate 12 is relatively thin and is provided with `an opening 13 therethroughv for each flare to becarried. Figures 11 and 12 show a socket plate provided with three such openings, and each opening with its adjacent parts is identical'and may' be repeated any desirednumber of times, or only one such opening may be used where found necessary, and depending upon the number of flares to be carried.

The socket opening 13 is of sufficient size to freely receive the carrying case 53 which is adapted to be moved upwardly through the opening 13. 'Ihe socket plate 12 is secured in horizontal position to any adaptable portion of the air craft. The socket plate 12 is provided around the opening'13 with a plurality of threaded openings 14, the walls of which may be reinforced by bosses or projections provided on the upper surface of the plate 12 as shown, and these openings 14 are adapted to receive upwardly therein binding screws 15 which first pass upwardly through openings 16 provided in the flange 54,' the ange 58 of the cover plate 51 being cut away or recessed at points' adjacent these openings 1.6, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. The heads of the screws 15 bear against the lower side of the flange 54 and hold the flange in tight engagement against the under side o-f the socket plate 12. The carrying case 53 when thus inserted in the plate 12 and secured by the screws 15 becomes a launching tube and substantiallya permanent part of the socket plate 12.

For each providedwth a launching or releasingv device for the are. Each device comprises an 'upstanding bracket 11 which is disposed near the edge of j the plate 12 a-nd is forked at its upper portion to accommodate a bell crank lever 18 which has a v shoulder 19 at the outer side of a pivot 85 connecting the lever 18 to the bracket 11 Ifhe bight enh of the upper forked end of the bracket 11 provides a stop shoulder 8l against which the shoulder 19 of the lever is adapted to normally rest for determining the normal position of the lever. The lever 18 is provided with one or more arms 82 which extend in the desired direction from the pivot 88 and are suitably apertured for the reception of a releasing cable, or the like, so that the cable may be carried either in a general horizontal or a generalv vertical direction from the lever 18, depending upon the point from which the cable is to be controlled.

The bracket 11 is provided at its inner sideA with a vertically apertured lug 83 through which is slid'ably mounted a combined latch releasing cover ejecting pin 84 having a headed upper end beneath which is placed a coil spring 85` surrounding the pin.84 and resting upon the lug 83. The spring 85 holds the pin 84 in raised position as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The lever 18 is provided with a rounded or cam head 86 which bears upon the head of the pin 84, and when the lever 18 is turned on its pivot 80'it is adapted to depress the pin to launch the flare.V The plate 12 is provided at its under side with a recess 81 for accommodating the latch lever 63, and the recess 81 may be carried across the plate 12 to the opposite side of the opening 13 thereof, as shown in dotted lines in Figures l1 and 13 to accommodate a second latch device, should it be found necessary or desirable to use the same. But one latch mechanism is shown in the present case for the sake of clearness although any desired number may be used depending upon the weight of the flare and other conditions which may be met with incident to the installation and use of the device.

The opening in the lug 83 extends downwardly through the plate 12 in register with the slot 69 in the carrying caseange 54, as shown in' Figures 13, 14 and 15,

The lower end of the launching pin 84 is tapered or otherwise reduced in diameter so as to rst enter the notch 1I of the latch -63 and to be held by the shoulder about the notch from further downward movement until considerable pressure is inserted upon the upper end of the pin to force it downwardly. The pin 84, above its tapering point. is of a size to freely pass downwardly through the slots 184 and 69 when the latch 63 is released so that the lower end of t-he pin may engage the flange 58- of the lower cover 51 and force the latter downwardly and outwardlyinto open position, as shown in Figure 15.V The movement of the pin 84 is proportioned to eject the block 35 .mounted in position. The igniter is assembled as a separate unit, as shown in Figure 7 and is-then fited through the top of the l Vblock and secured thereto by the-devices 38.

Ofv4 course these devices 38may be screws, or any other suitable-fastening means freely 'accessible and operable from 'the top- .of the block 35. The parachute portion of the flare is now folded and fitted inthe'upper casing 25, and the flare thus formed is`placed in the carrying case 53 with the top cover 56 fitted to the carrying case and the top of the flare, and with the lower cover 51 fitted in the bottom of the case and about thev 61 are then in position so .as to securely hold the flare within its carrying case and prepare the latch for final operation. 'Ihe flare in this carrying case may thus be safely shipped to an airport, or other place for use and upon arrival, it

is only necessary to withdraw the cotter pin 61 with its ring 68 and to slide the entire unit, including the carrying case 53 upwardly through the opening 13 in the socket plate 12 and secure the parts together as a unit by means of the screws 15. The flare is thus encased and is protected against the weather and foreign substances by the upper cap 56 and the lower cap 51.

When it is desired to launch the flare, it is only necessary to operate the bell crank lever 18, as above described, or depress the head 86 thereof against the pin 84 and against the tension of the spring 85. The initial downward movement of the pin 84 moves the tapering end thereof downwardly in the notch 1| and forces the latch lever 63 outwardly, breaking off the frangible pin 66 and moving the slot 18 of the latch into register with the slot 68 of the flange 54. As the pin 84 continues its downward movement, it passes through the latch 63, moving the same outwardly and out of engagement with the keeper lslot 62, and the lower end of the pin bears against the flange 58 of the lower cover 4and forces the latter downwardly and out of the carrying case 53. This releases the flare 'so that the latter by its weight swings the lower cover 51 `out of the way where it may fall by release of the curved tongue 59, and at the same time the flare fallsaw'av from the upper cover 56 on account of the relatively loose t of the central portion of the cover in the top of the parachute casing 25.

As soon as the flare is freed from the carrying and launching tube 53, the weight 52 is projected out of the flare and draws with' it the parachute I so that the latter is subjected to the air pressure and is readily opened. -As the parachute takes up the weight of' 'the flare on the cables 58 and 48, the wires 44 are .drawn taut and take up the' weight of the flare with the result that these wires are torn through thev friction disc 4I and straightened out from more or less directly with respect to the openings `42 in -the disc 48. The friction loops 43 are thus drawn lu wardly through the openings 42 and into conta t with the ignition lining of the openings .42. The resultant flash is projected downwardly in the tube 31 and against the quickmatch strand 33,igniting the flare. After the wires 44 have been drawn I cation where the height of a flare prohibits its mounting.

In the modification the socket plate 88 is adapt'- ed to be mounted horizontally on an air craft, or the like, and is secured by the screws 88 to the vcarrying and launching case 98 which, in the present instance, is lengthwise in a horizontal di-` Y' rection and opens downwardly at its lower side for receiving therein the flare shown-in Figure 6.

In Figure 18 the flare is indicated at l3|,being the bottom cap as shown in Eigure 6. The casing 90 has a lower cap or closure plate 9| which along 'one edge may be connected by hinges 92, or the like, to the socket plate 88. The are is provided intermediate its ends with an annular groove 93 and-the casing 90 is provided in its upper side and intermediate its ends with a depressed rib 94 adapted to enter the groove 93 of'the flare for holding thelatter against longitudinal or side shifting in the casing 9! and to insure the even movement or dropping of the nare at opposite ends from the casing 90 when the cover 9| is released. The cover 9| is held in place by the same mechanism and in the same manner as is disclosed in Figures 13, 14 and l5. The free edge o'f the cover 9| has the downwardly oset and outwardly extending flange 58 while the casing90 carries the outstanding flange 54 with the latch lever 63 thereon as above described.

When in this horizontal position, it is preferableto employ a latch 63 at each end of the casing 90, and each latch 63'is provided with its releasing and cover ejecting pin 84 actuated upon the depression of the cams 86, and as a pail of these cams is used, the bell crank levers 95, carrying the'cams 8S, are provided only with the upwardly extending arms 95 connected together by a bar 91 which may be apertured at one end as ,shown for connection with an operatingcable adapted to be carried to any convenient point of access. It is apparent that when the bar 531 is pulled by the cable both of thelevers 95 will swing and project their cams B6 downwardly toysimultaneously operate the pins 84 and release both latches and forcethe lower cover position.

The cover 9| may also be provided atan intermediate point lwith a transverse upstanding curved bead or rib 98 adapted to enter the annular slot 93 of the nare and cooperate with the .tion for launching, a releasable c ap mounted on bead 94 in maintaining the fiare against shifting or vibration while in the casing 90.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details 'of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, suchy changes and modications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims. Y

What is claimed is: e

l. A combined flare and launching means therefor comprising a flare body, a tube surrounding thebody to protect the same, a cap carried-on the upper end of the tube and having centering means engaging the nare-to hold the same releasably in the tube, a bottom cap tti'ng on the tube and engaging the nare to support it and hold it in the tube, a socket member from which the flare body4 may be launched, means for securing the tube to the socket member, fran-I gible' means for locking said securing means, and means carried by the socket member operable upon the lower cap and said securing means to break said frangible means and remove the cap from the tube and release* the are body.

2. A combined flare and launching means therefor, comprising a are body, a tube encasing thebody to protect the same, a socket member adapted to be mounted on an aeroplane or ,the like, means for securing said -tube to the socket member to lsupport the flare body in posithe lower. end .ofthe -tube for maintaining the 9| into open 'and support the flare body,

; the cap to lock the latter in closed position, frangible means for holding the latch against movement, and a combined latch releasing cap ejecting means and breaking means for said frangible means carried by. the socket member for operation on the latch and the 4cap of the tube when the latter is mounted on the socket member to release the are from the tube.

3. A combined vnare and launching means therefor, comprising a flare body, a combined carrying case and launching tube disposed about the body, an upper cap on the carrying tube having a depressed central portion engaging the upper end of the `flare to releasably holdit in the tube, a lower cap fitting in the tube and engaging the nare to support it and hold it in position in the tube, said lower cap and tube having means at one .iside to hingedly support the lower `means for holding the latch against accidental release, a socket member for receiving the launching'tube to hold the same and the nare in position, and a combined latch releasing vbreaking means for said frangible means and lower cap ejecting means carried by the socket member for retracting the latch to release the lower cap and for engaging the lower cap to swing the latter free of the launching tube and the flare body.

4. A combined flare and launching means therefor, comprising a flare body, a tube surrounding the body to protect the same, a cap fitting on the upper end' of the tube and having a central depressed portion engaging the nare.

body to center the same in the tube, a lower cap fitted to the lower end of the tube and engaging the flare body to center the same -in the tube a latch slidably mounted on the outer side of the tube and movable inwardly into interlocking engagement with'the lower cap to secure the same on the tube, said latch having an opening therethrough and said lower cap beneath the opening, a socket member from which the nare may be launched, means for securing the tube in the socket member, a pin carried by the socket member in line with the opening offset outwardly from Ythe opening in the latch whenv in'locking position, said pin having an inclined lower surface portion, and means for depressing the pin to move the inclined surface portion thereof through the opening in the latch to release the ylatter .and for moving the pin downwardly against the flangel of the lower cover to forcibly eject the latter from the lower end of the tube. L

I 5. A combined are and launching means therefor, comprising a nare body, a tube 'enclosing the body to protect the same and having an outstanding flange at its lower end, a cap fitted to the lower end of the tube and having a flange thereabout, the flanges of the tube and cap having interengaging means at-one side of the tube for hingedly supporting the cap there-` flange when the latch is in locking position, said cap having a slot therein for receiving said latch to lock thev capin the tube, a socket member having a ange adapted to register' adapted to receive said tube ange, therebeneath, a pin carried by the socket member having a tapered lower end in register with the opening in the tube flange and in partial register with the opening in the latch when in locking positiom and means for depressing said pin for rst retracting said latch from the cap to release the latter and for further movement through the opening in the tube iiange to forcibly eject said cap from the tube.

6. A combined flare and launching means therefor, comprising a flare, a horizontal case for carrying the flare and launching the same in horizontal position, said case open at its lower'side, a cover hinged to the case for the lower end thereof adapted to supportthe flare in the case, latching means connected to the case and engageable with the cover for holding the same closed, a socket member for receiving the carrying case to support the same and the flare, and at least one combined latch releasing l and cover ejecting means carried by the socket member for retracting the latching means to release the cover and for engaging the cover to swing the same into open position and free the flare from the carrying case.

7. A combined flare and launching means therefor, comprising a are, a case for carrying and launching the are in a horizontal position, means for centralizing the are in the case and supporting the latter against endwise and lateral movement in the case, and a releasable cover on the bottom of the case for supporting the flare therein, said cover having centralizing and supporting means at its inner side for engaging theV flare and cooperating with said like means in the case for holding the are in place. Q

8. A combined. carrying case and launching tube for a flare, comprising a tube for the are and having an outstanding flange, a cap removably tted to the lower end of the tube for supporting a are in the tube, a latch lever pivoted on said iiange and adapted to be moved into interlocking'engagement with the cap and the tube to'hold the same on the tube, frangible means for holdingl said latch against movement and a removable locking device for the latch enf means holding said locking means against move-'- ment, and a locking means releasing member operable to simultaneously move -said locking means into released position, break said frangible means and forcibly move said supporting member into released position.

'sAMUErl 

